Following the Department of Natural Resources' initial inventory and mapping of all state forest roads in Michigan to determine which roads would be open to off-road vehicle use -- a process that took roughly two years and was completed at the end of 2018 -- the DNR and the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center are providing clarification about state forest roads and snowmobile trails within Camp Grayling training areas and ranges.

All unmarked or unnamed state forest roads and trails in designated Camp Grayling training areas are off-limits to ORV use. The DNR's interactive map showing current road status is available on the DNR webpage Michigan.gov/ForestRoads. Printable Crawford County and Camp Grayling forest roads maps are available, too.

When Public Act 288 (the legislation outlining the mapping and inventory process) was enacted in 2016, lands within the Camp Grayling training areas were not open to ORV use. Trails and roads in Camp Grayling always have been off-limits to ORV traffic.

"To ensure the safety of ORV users and to minimize potential conflicts with military training efforts, it was determined that roads on Camp Grayling lands would remain closed to ORV use," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremie Mead, community relations specialist for Camp Grayling. "Signs have been posted on the perimeter of the Camp Grayling lands, to clearly alert the public that these roads and trails are closed."

For safety and security purposes, Camp Grayling officials and DNR conservation officers will monitor these restricted areas. Anyone operating an ORV within a restricted area that has been closed to such use by order of the DNR director is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of up to $500.

In some cases, the DNR will issue "event use permits" for registered conventional vehicles, such as a Jeep, for use of state-managed land. For more information about specific requirements or to apply for a permit, please visit the Public Land section of the DNR website under Managing Your Resources.

Camp Grayling's Multi-Purpose Range Complex (aka the Range 30 Complex) and the Air to Ground Range (aka the Range 40 Complex) have times when, for safety reasons, named roads in the area also are closed to all civilian traffic. Reference Camp Grayling's Facebook page (Facebook.com/CampGraylingMI) to see weekly range firing announcements and closure updates.

DNR Deputy Director Bill O'Neill said the department appreciates the public's cooperation in observing the closed or open status of state forest roads and trails.

"Our state forest roads are a terrific resource in allowing people to get outside and enjoy Michigan's public forests, and a lot of work went into understanding the conditions and availability of thousands of miles of these roads," O'Neill said. "Nearly 12,000 miles of state forest roads are open year-round to off-road vehicle use. So, in cases like at Camp Grayling, where there are good reasons for closure, it's important for everyone to honor the rules."

When traveling near or around Camp Grayling, respect all closed gates. If you drive up to a closed gate and feel that the gate is mistakenly closed, or have any other questions, call Camp Grayling Headquarters at 989-344-6100.